Animal Models to Study Germ Line Stem Cells and Spermatogenesis

Mammalian spermatogenesis is a stem cell-driven system. Germ line stem cells (spermatogonial stem cells) form the basis of male fertility and are the only cells in an adult body that divide and can contribute genes to subsequent generations, making them immediate targets for genetic manipulation. Stem cells have to maintain a delicate balance between self-renewal to maintain a functional stem cell pool and differentiation to sustain efficient, life-long production of sperm. However, relatively little is known about the mechanisms that govern this fate-decision. Similar to stem cells in other organs, germ line stem cells reside in a specialized microenvironment, the stem cell niche. Interactions between stem cells and their niche are essential for tissue homeostasis. Our work utilizes various mammalian animal models and transplantation technology to elucidate aspects of stem cell function, formation of the stem cell niche, and applications of stem cell-based technology to preservation of fertility and genetic modification of non-rodent animal models.